Pixar Animator Shares the Surprising Challenge Behind The Incredibles’ Phone Cord Scene
Pixar veteran Dave Mullins opens up about the unexpectedly tough task of animating a simple phone cord scene in The Incredibles, revealing just how much effort went into what looked like an ordinary moment.
Pixar is known for pushing the boundaries of animation, but sometimes the most ordinary moments can turn into the biggest hurdles for its creative team. Dave Mullins, who spent twenty years at the studio, recently revisited a memorable challenge from his work on 2004’s The Incredibles. He shared a behind-the-scenes look at a scene that, on the surface, seemed simple: Elastigirl, voiced by Holly Hunter, handling a phone with a cord. No superhuman feats, no wild camera angles—just a regular phone call. Yet, this sequence turned out to be a real headache for the animators.
Mullins joked about the ordeal, saying, “Man that phone cord almost killed me back in the day.” The animation process for the cord, which had to move naturally as Elastigirl juggled the phone, took far longer than anyone expected. Even though the technology existed to animate such movement, Mullins explained that it was both more cost-effective and enjoyable to animate it by hand. Still, the task ended up taking what he called an “embarrassing” number of days to finish.
Unexpected Animation Obstacles
The phone cord wasn’t the only tricky part of working with Elastigirl. Mullins recalled another scene set on a rooftop, where the character stretches around Mr. Incredible in an attempt to get him to be more “flexible.” The first version of the scene was approved, but when the team reviewed the render, they noticed the motion blur was off. Mullins admitted he was frustrated and insisted on having the shot redone, even though it was a costly move during a tight production schedule. The second attempt looked much better, but if you look closely, some motion blur issues still linger. Mullins suspects he’s probably the only one who ever noticed those tiny flaws.
Legacy and Ongoing Impact
Throughout his career at Pixar, Mullins contributed to a number of beloved films, including Monsters Inc., Up, and Finding Nemo. He left the studio in 2020 to co-found ElectroLeague, but his work on The Incredibles remains a standout memory. The franchise itself continues to thrive, with a third installment currently in development. Brad Bird is returning to write the script, while Peter Sohn, known for his work on Elemental, will take the director’s chair due to Bird’s commitment to another project.
Looking Ahead
As fans anticipate the next chapter in The Incredibles saga, many are also looking back at the studio’s impressive catalog. For those eager to revisit Pixar’s best moments or plan their next movie night, there’s no shortage of classics to choose from. And with a packed slate of upcoming releases, moviegoers have plenty to look forward to in the coming years.